RAIPUR: Fighting a decisive battle to return to power after a span of 15 years, Chhattisgarh Congress says it’s brimming with confidence to wrest power from BJP with its “Narwa-Garwa-Ghurwa-Badi (rivulets, livestock, domestic dump and farming) model that would work towards reviving the economy. In a tete-a-tete with Rashmi Drolia, Chhattisgarh Congress president Bhupesh Baghel says that the party has gained confidence from farmers, tribals and the overlooked sector of shikshakarmi, policemen families and nurses by fighting for their rights all these years. Although anti-incumbency factor is also working in favour, the reach of the party has touched the last person of the state, giving confidence for a victory.

How hopeful are you about Congress wresting power from the BJP after a span of 15 years? Do you think that anti-incumbency factor is working in your favour?

Unlike other states where BJP won the elections in the past, situation in Chhattisgarh is very different as it has always been neck to neck contest throughout. The difference in vote share has reduced from 1.5% in 2008 to .74% in 2013 elections, which is a clear indication that Congress is strong. Moreover, many sections such as shikshakarmis, nurses, policemen's families, victims of chit-fund companies, who were overlooked by the BJP regime, have developed faith in the Congress. They constitute to lakhs of voters. While they are extremely disappointed with BJP due to unfulfilled demands, Congress has given them support. This time the gap of difference is going to be huge.

Under the present government, farmers remained neglected. We have fought for their rights and there were occasion when farmers were chased away by the police. Congress' fight for their minimum support price per quintal has been successful and they know that. Also the tribal population continues have faith in the Congress and its very visible in our meeting with them. Tribal communities have not forgot how the BJP government brought an amendment in the land revenue code to usurp tribal land and the protests from tribal communities and Congress forced the Congress withdraw the amendment.

Anti-incumbency may be one of the factors that could influence the outcome, but we are expecting a positive vote for Congress and that gives us confidence for victory.

What about Congress prospects in Bastar and Surguja region? Will Congress be able to retain its position?

Congress is certainly going to retain its seats in Bastar and Surguja, rather we will win more seats this time. BJP has been fielding its star campaigners like Amit Shah and Narendra Modi to visit these divisions multiple times. Why? Because BJP's local candidates and MLAs fail to gather crowd there. People in Surguja and Bastar have no faith in BJP as these places face issues like unemployment, exploitation of tribals, no focus on scheduled tribe people etc which would definitely go against the BJP.

What gives you such a confidence that Congress is poised for a victory?

See the manifesto Congress will come up with. It's going to touch each sector right from education, youth, farmers, women, Scheduled caste, traders and businessmen.

Congress is going to introduce a new Narwa-Garwa-Ghurwa-Badi ( rivulets, livestock, domestic dump and farming) model that would work towards reviving the economy from village to cities. Not only would this be beneficial for prevention of unemployment but also increase the income of people.

Utilization and management of farm, livestock, rivers, and domestic dump would revive the economy in state and conserve the environment as well. Besides, when Congress comes in power, initiatives would be taken to utilize the electricity, raw materials, produce and minerals of Chhattisgarh within the state itself for its growth instead of transporting them to other states.

If we have steel industry, why can’t we have another industry for steel finished goods? Why not utilizing the surplus electricity in the new industries, promote employment and generate revenue? This is going to be huge and successful model.

Do you think that Janata Congress-BSP-CPI alliance will cut into Congress votes and finally benefit the BJP? Or this third front will cut into the votes of both BJP and the Congress?

Do you think that there is any possibility of a hung assembly or the state would remain bi-polar?

Alliance is already proving to be a disaster as large number of their party workers are leaving and join Congress every day. Those who return say that they joined Ajit Jogi as part of third front but they are constantly being told “ki Congress ko harana hai, kabhi ye nahi kehte ki BJP ko harana hai.” They feel betrayed joining Janata Congress. Their alliance with BSP would hardly make any difference to us; instead JCC-BSP alliance would prove to be a non-starter.

There’s also no chance of hung assembly in Chhattisgarh as it has never witnessed any regional party taking a lead, though an independent candidate can make his place but no hung assembly.

The current situation in Congress looks like infighting continues, what’s your comment?

The one who was mainly responsible for infighting was Ajit Jogi and he has left the party. Presently, there’s no infighting at all. There are candidates who were aspiring for tickets and couldn’t get one, so they are little annoyed but that’s common and can be solved by talks. The reports about my differences with AICC general secretary P L Punia are also bogus.

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